Why Is Your Furnace Short Cycling?

22 October 2019
 Categories: , Blog


The cold weather season is rapidly approaching, and your furnace will soon be in full force. Typically, the furnace should cycle on and off according to the setting on your thermostat. After several seasons of non-use, a furnace may not function at the beginning of the fall and winter. This is known as short cycling. Short cycling happens when the furnace turns on and off more often than it should. Here is some information on short cycling and why your system may be dealing with this issue:

The Furnace Has Too Much Power

If you have installed a new furnace, you will likely feel frustration if it is not working as it should. Short cycling can happen in a new furnace if the furnace is too large or too powerful for the space. If the furnace is too big, it will overheat and not work properly.

When a furnace overheats, cracks can form in the heat exchange. This will cause short cycling but can also cause carbon monoxide leaks in your house. This is a problem that needs immediate attention.

The Thermostat Does Not Work

Another item that may be causing the short cycling is a thermostat that is not working properly. When you set the thermostat, you intend for the home to be maintained in your home. If the thermostat does not work, the furnace will short cycle because it does not know what temperature to keep the room. This can also lead to uncomfortable indoor temperatures, whether it is too hot or too cold. You can also see higher electric bills due to excessive short cycling. If your thermostat does not appear to be working, your HVAC technician can replace it for you.

The Thermostat Is Not in an Ideal Location

Your furnace may also be short cycling due to the improper placement of the thermostat. When the thermostat is in a warm place in your home, it thinks the air is warm enough in the entire house and will turn the system off before the rest of the house is at an adequate temperature.

When your thermostat is near a sunny window or in the kitchen, for instance, the furnace will not cycle on as often. If you increase the temperature to help warm up the rest of the house, the thermostat may get confused and short cycle to keep up. To remedy this problem, ask your HVAC technician to move your thermostat to a more level tempered area of your home. If you suspect your furnace is having a problem, consult a company like Any Season Heating & Air Conditioning for furnace repair. 


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